GAME:  #657 Wisconsin vs #658 Illinois
TIME:    2/6/2021 – 2:30p EST
SPREAD:   Illinois -4
TOTAL:      137

The #19 Wisconsin Badgers (14-5, 8-4) have a BIG 10 road game against the #12 Illinois Fighting Illini (12-5, 8-3) at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EST. These teams met once in Wisconsin last season when Illinois won 70-71.  Wisconsin is 3-2 against ranked opponents this season, while Illinois has won two of its five games against ranked teams.

WISCONSIN BADGERS

The Wisconsin Badgers are averaging 71 points on 43% field goal shooting along with 8.53 Zone 37.6 3-point shooting. The Badgers are allowing 62 points on 40% field goal shooting while forcing 11.5 turnovers and adding 4.3 steals and 3.5 blocks per game on the defensive end. The Badgers are led by D’mitrik Trice who is averaging 13.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 82 points on 50% field goal shooting along with 7.6 threes and 39% three-point shooting and 8.8 offensive rebounds. Illinois is allowing 69 points per game on 40% field goal shooting while forcing 11.8 turnovers, 6.8 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game on defense. Illinois is led by Ayo Dusunmu who’s averaging 21.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and one steal per game.

TRENDS

WISCONSIN

• Badgers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS win.
• Badgers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight-up win.
• Over is 4-1 in the Badger’s last 5 games following an ATS win.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Badgers last 6 Saturday games.
• Badgers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games.

ILLINOIS

• Under is 6-1 in Fighting Illini last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 games following a win.
• Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 games as a home favorite.
• Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini’s last 6 home games.
• Fighting Illini are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning record.

HEAD TO HEAD

• The road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
• The favorite is 19-7-1 ATS in the last 27 meetings.

WISCONSIN vs ILLINOIS PREDICTION PICK

Wisconsin and Illinois are both efficient teams on the defensive end however offensively Illinois struggles with turnovers. Illinois turns the ball over 13.2 times per game compared to Wisconsin’s 6.7. The Wisconsin offense has recorded a turnover on only 13.9% of its possessions, which is the fourth-lowest rate in the nation. The Illinois defense has forced opposing teams to turn the ball over on just 16.4% of all possessions (ranked 320th among Division I teams). This will give Wisconsin the advantage in controlling the tempo and the game. If Illinois cannot get out and run their offense efficiency dwindles. The public is also pounding Illinois but this line is not moving much and if anything there is some early Reverse Line Movement. You will want to keep an eye on this line but if it stays near +4, Wisconsin will be the play. If Wisconsin controls the tempo the Under has the best chance at coming in. The Bookie is rolling with the Wisconsin Badgers to cover the spread in this one. 

BETTING ANGLES:

The Bookie:         Wisconsin +4 / Under 137
Fade the Public:  Wisconsin / Under
Sharp Action:      Wisconsin / Under